Premier League | Monday, 20 April 2026 Selhurst Park, London | Referee: John Brooks (ENG)
It was one of those nights. Palace had the chances. West Ham had nothing going forward for long stretches. And somehow it ended 0-0.
Dean Henderson called it a “missed opportunity” afterwards and he was not wrong. His side were the better team for large parts of the evening. But better teams do not always win. Sometimes they fire wide, have goals ruled out, and watch a team fighting for survival leave south London with a clean sheet and a point.
West Ham needed something from this. They got it. Brutal for Palace. Vital for the Hammers.
Oliver Glasner made four changes from Thursday’s Europa League win over Fiorentina. Will Hughes came back in. Jefferson Lerma too. Brennan Johnson and Jørgen Strand Larsen returned up front. Maxence Lacroix started despite coming off early in that Florence game — a slight concern going in, but Glasner backed him and he got through the full 90 without any issues.
The first chance came in the seventh minute. Tyrick Mitchell drove forward from left back — he did that a lot on Monday night — and put a cross in that Strand Larsen flicked just wide at the near post. Nothing on the board but the intent was there.
West Ham were not just sitting back. Jarrod Bowen was a handful whenever he got space in behind. And in the 20th minute, Johnson headed wide from a good position after Palace had worked a decent move through the left channel. You would normally back him to do better. He did not.
Seven minutes later, the best chance of the first half arrived. Yéremy Pino found Johnson inside the box, who shaped and curled a smart effort just past the far post. Really close. Not close enough.
West Ham’s best moment of the half was ugly but effective. Henderson had to punch away a Bowen header. The loose ball fell to Nicolás Castellanos, who tried a bicycle kick from close range. Maxence Lacroix threw his body in the way. Goalless at the break — but only just.
Second half opened and the Hammers were actually on the front foot. Unusual. Glasner responded by throwing on Sarr, Mateta and Kamada around the hour mark. The shape changed. Palace looked more threatening again.
Then came the moment that had Selhurst Park on its feet. Sarr got on the end of a ball inside the box and it went in. The ground erupted. The flag went up. Offside. That was it — that was the moment the result was decided, though nobody knew it yet.
Johnson tried his luck again later in the second half. Lerma got his head to a Kamada cross but sent it high and wide. Daniel Muñoz picked up a booking in stoppage time as frustrations boiled over. There was nothing else. Full time, 0-0.
The result matters beyond Palace and West Ham. Wolves are relegated. Their fate was confirmed by this draw — even if they win their remaining games, the gap is now too large. Seven straight seasons in the top flight. It ends in 2026.
West Ham go two points clear of Spurs in 18th. Lopetegui’s side have not won any of their last six Premier League away games. They have not needed to. Draws, grinding, keeping the opposition quiet enough. It is not pretty but it might just be enough. Bowen was their best player by some distance — he runs hard, he tracks back, he makes life difficult. On nights like this that is exactly what you need.
Palace stay 13th on 43 points, now within five of Brentford in eighth. Four unbeaten in the league is real progress. But this was the kind of evening where two points dropped feels heavier than one point gained.
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Crystal Palace 0-0 West Ham United Premier League | Monday, 20 April 2026 | Selhurst Park, London Goals: None | Half-time: 0-0
Crystal Palace (4-3-3): Henderson; Muñoz, Lacroix, Richards, Mitchell; Hughes (Devenny 78′), Lerma, Kamada; Johnson (Sarr 59′), Strand Larsen (Mateta 59′), Pino (Clyne 59′)
West Ham United (4-2-3-1): Hermansen; Mavropanos, Kilman, Disasi, Emerson; Souček, Alvarez; Bowen, Kudus, Paquetá; Castellanos
Yellow Cards: Muñoz 90’+2′ (Crystal Palace)
Stats: Possession Crystal Palace 53% — West Ham 47% | Shots on Goal: 4-3 | Attempts: 14-10 | Corners: 5-4 | Half-time: 0-0
